I have come to believe that the success or failure of every woman who hopes to build her children into a godly legacy depends to a great degree on whether or not she is spending time in the presence of the Lord and filling her mind with His Word. In this fallen world of Satan's domain, where we are constantly bombarded with worldly ideals and cultural ideas, we cannot hope to be guided into all truth unless we are daily instructed by the Giver of truth. To my mind, it is pretty certain that whether or not a woman invests time with the Lord will ultimately determine what she has to give to her children, husband, and others.

Through the Word of God, we are able to become skillful builders of our children's souls. May we come often to be enriched by the priceless treasures and jewels in God's Word so that our hearts will overflow with life to fill the treasure chests of our children. May our walk be step-by-step with Him, with His wisdom, and with His assurance. Because of our faithfulness to His Word, may our children be rich with His love, wisdom, and guidance for the rest of their lives.

God of Truth, Logic, Wisdom, and direction,

Make me sensitive and responsive to Your Word and to Your voice. Help me to establish my life on the foundation of Your Word so that when the storms of life come my way, I may stand fast and secure. Help me to develop deep convictions in my children's souls that are based on the principles of the Bible, so that my children will have a wealth of truth to help them in making decisions.

Give me fresh insight and new understanding of how to apply Your Word to the everyday issues of my life. Help me to establish a lifelong habit of spending time with You. Thank You for making Yourself always available to me.

I so appreciate having Your presence in my life. Amen.

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:1-2, emphasis added).

According to these verses, what distinguishes those who are influenced by culture and the standards of the world and those who are led by God? Are there any changes you need to make in your life to ensure that you have time to study God's Word?

A hushed, contemplative picture book based on an episode from the author’s own childhood. What happens when a father returns from war, a stranger to his child? Gentle, honest, a tale that examines one of the difficult aspects of war with real tenderness.

Escape From Warsaw

A classic, long beloved tale of a family separated by war, and determined to find their way back to each other. With both of their parents arrested by Nazis, Ruth, Edek, and Bronia must fend for themselves until they meet a boy who tells them that their father is alive and waiting for them… in Switzerland. Thus begins a dangerous journey across war torn Europe as the children fight to survive and find their father.

I Am David

I read this book as an adult, and it startled me with its beauty. The story of a boy who has known nothing but a concentration camp, and how he learns what it means to be, not merely physically free, but liberated in heart as well, free to take on the bonds of love.

Irena's Jar of Secrets

A picture book telling of the true story of a young Polish woman who was a nurse during the Nazi Occupation and helped to save the lives of hundreds of Jewish children.

Number the Stars

The story of ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen who becomes caught up in the Danish Resistance during the Nazi Occupation when the life of her best friend is endangered.

As I am watching all the pictures sweet friends are posting about their children's back to school days, this story I wrote many years ago about a day full of talking, talking, talking seems both far away and closeby--especially because our days still seem bound to be full of conversation.

Does anyone else ever feel like they just can't talk to one more person? Our philosophy of discipleship and of reaching our children's hearts in general is very relationship oriented--and that means lots of words! I always feel I need to be available to my sweet children--but there are days when I'm not sure that's a great philosophy after all!

Before I had even finished a cup of tea or my quiet time that morning, I was on the phone with Nathan, who had just moved to California. I also went back and forth on email with his agency in Denver, talking about resumes, head shots, movies and Youtube sample movies and auditions, sending information, talking bank accounts, money, recommendations, and was worn out by 9 a.m. Even from LA to Colorado, a mom is needed.

Then on driving to a history group meeting, Joy and I started a discussion that ended up lasting most of the day--- do you wonder how that sort of thing happens, when you really had good will in your heart, and it just gets turned around somehow? So we talked in the car for half an hour over some life issues before going into our meeting. Then at noon, we talked another thirty minutes about feelings and dreams and expectations. At 1:00 I met Joel for lunch as he was about to go back to Berklee, and we talked for an hour and a half about life, dreams, issues, money, school, work, housing, the Lord, food ...

Finally it was time to go back home where Joy and I talked for another hour and a half; she had a lot of "stuff" on her heart and it all seemed to bubble up that day. Sometimes I could see my kids felt lost in the crowd of the other children amidst everyone's needs that are always vying for my attention in our home. We are close friends and spent lots of time together every day, but sometimes with each child it takes a long time to get to the "ending well part" when you are in the midst of teen years and issues and friends and life.

Went to the kitchen to make dinner and was followed in by my oldest two, who proceeded to spend two more hours with me, talking about relationships with others in their lives and such, so more talking, more analyzing, and everyone, including Clay and me, having opinions. Thank goodness he got home from work so he could do half of the talking! As Clay says, if you ask a Clarkson a question, you will always end up with a discussion!

How long can you talk about an issue with your older children? Evidently, a very, very long time! Then we all went on a walk, and talked and argued even more about important issues like, "It's so hot tonight." "No, it isn't. It's cool. What's wrong with you." "I think you should be nicer to your friend." "I am being nice to my friend, you are just critical." "I love Mexican beans from this restaurant." "Really? I hate them. They are so mushy!"

Finally got home and sat down. I had spent all the words I had, all the compassion I had and all the energy I had and as much wisdom as I could muster--at which point, our golden retriever, Kelcy, ran over the me and put both paws on my lap and seemed to say, "Now, it is my turn!" Joel and Joy rescued me as they could sense I was about to pop. At times, it seems like days like this tax you to your toes, and even now with 3 of my sweet ones home for just a bit, I am still amazed at how much I am in the center of everything and how much they all still want to talk--and talk! But, I now know that some days, my house is emptier when they are spread to the far corners of the world. I will remember these days and I will miss the noise and conversations--I am enjoying it, really, at least most of the time. But there are times when I am so thankful that a day has come to an end and I get to go to bed and sleep for a few hours without talking! Ever have days like this?

Episode #94 A Heart for Reading {and Music}

This is the last week of our series, 10 Gifts of Heart. This weeks' gift is giving your child the heart for reading and thinking. Because Sarah Clarkson, Sally's daughter, just graduated from Oxford and has said that a love for reading was what gave her a desire to study there and the ability to learn to write, she joins Sally to talk about how important books were in the shaping of her soul, heart and mind.

In this episode, Sally is joined by her daughter Sarah and they discuss the deep roots and moral imagination and character that develops through books. They discuss the gifts cultivated by a reading life, and the capacity to pour those gifts back into the world as a result. Sally and Sarah will inspire your understanding of the importance of books as central to the rhythms of home life and our interior souls and personhood. Then Sally is joined by her friend, Terri Moon who shares about the gift of music and how to help our children have a love of classical composers, and some of her favorite books to share with your children to introduce them to music. (All the books are linked below!)

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT:

-How reading furnishes in us an ability and increased capacity to see the world through another person's eyes

-The connection between faith and imagination

- How reading expands what we view as possible

-How reading provides a place for contemplation in our lives

-How reading trains us in focused and deep attention

-How reading helps to cultivate wonder in our lives and our ability to see the world as a gift

-How the words we read and use teach us to pay attention to the world around us

-How reading creates in us a true sense of self

-How to give our children a love of classical music

-Giving our children a sense of legacy by passing on what we love and appreciate

Links:

zin! zin! zin! A Violin

A Caldecott Honor Book which would be fun for the young child. This counting book introduces all the instruments of the orchestra with fun rhymes and playful illustrations. It might end up being a family favorite.

the story of the orchestra

An educational introduction to the world of classical music - from composers and music history, to the instruments of the orchestra.

Young people's guide to classical music

Young People’s Guide to Classical Music by Helen Bauer Good introduction to classical music, including composers and the times in which they lived, with a lot of interesting information. Just right for kids around 12 and older.

Never play music right next to the zoo

A fun book about a little boy attending an outdoor concert in the summer. Perfect for story time for preschool - grade 2, maybe during a summertime picnic at the zoo!

Carnival of the animals

A famous piece of music composed by Camille Saint-Saens is combined with fantastic illustrations and poetry. A feast for the ears and eyes that children of all ages will love.

spiritual lives of the composers

The author has devoted one chapter to each of the composers, giving a thoughtful analysis of how his faith and worldview influenced the music he wrote. Each chapter includes recommended music to listen to which will enhance your study.

the gift of music

This book, with a foreword by Francis Schaeffer, was written by women who shared many talks about great music while they lived at L’Abri. Their great insight will teach you even more about the music you are exploring.

This is a really fun video, narrated by the famous British actor Peter Pears. It is designed to introduce children to all of the instruments of the orchestra, by themselves and in combination with each other. After all, the word, “symphony” means many sounds. There are fun illustrations included too!

A fun story about the tuba, a bull frog, and lots of other instruments! This version is narrated by Julia Child, a famous chef TV personality. (This is probably the one I, Sally, listened to as a child!--or something similar.)

It seems many are preparing for the eclipse which will take place in a few weeks, and there's a meteor shower happening this weekend, as well. Such a gift, to be able to plan ways to enjoy such displays with our children, whether waking them up in the middle of the night with popcorn and hot chocolate to watch the meteor shower or driving a ways to watch a once-in-a-lifetime display of some other sort.

Beauty is such an important part of our understanding of who God is! In my mind are so many memories of times in which I was astonished by a sense of His indefinable beauty. Those thoughts have quieted and comforted me with awe. A glorious sunrise on a cold beach in Florida during a getaway with friends in college and how the spectacular, quiet moments of light spilled into the darkness. A glowing full moon suspended in the cloudless sky one evening minutes before a lunar eclipse. Snow crystals shimmering in the early morning as I opened my eyes from sleep to observe the first snowfall of the winter in our new Colorado home. A triple rainbow majestically filling the rain-cleansed sky at the tail of a storm, which seemed to flow completely from the east horizon to the west horizon. Five deer bucks idling in our front yard in the late afternoon sun, making a feast on our summer grass, as I, unnoticed, sipped a cup of tea on our porch.

These thoughts led me to recognize other opportunities for joy that I experience every day but often neglect to see as a part of God's personality and imagination invading the moments of my life.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

As I continued to relive memories of God's creative personality, I realized many had to do with food! Sitting on a cafe patio one cool summer's night and indulging in spicy chicken and beef fajitas with cheese and guacamole; hot chocolate fudge cake with whipped cream at a family birthday event; hot tea with fresh, warm scones, clotted cream, and jam at a friend's home; apple pie fresh from the oven, baked after picking the apples from an orchard. Much of my pleasure in life comes from the experiences I receive through my senses, which God gave me and which God delights in satisfying.

Even now these and many other pictures arrest me with a beauty that transcends my normal world. Each picture speaks of an Artist who paints with a palette of color, taking care to design his creations with movement and life. Yet, often I don't think of these things as gifts from the One who made them. I just take them for granted as a part of my material world.

But in reality, God made such moments to bring tangible pleasure to my life. Each day is filled with sense-invigorating pleasures: eating at least three meals a day, imbibing countless warm cups of coffee and tea, falling into my comfy bed after kissing my children good night, listening to music every day on my iPod and swaying and pulsating to the rhythm of the songs, enjoying the intimate embrace of my husband. All of these.

It is my hope that my newest book, shown below, will inspire you, encourage you and help you to see all of those thousands of meals and tea times as an opportunity to leave memories of your love that you prepare through tastes and beauty.

I was created to enjoy so that my life would not be dull and lifeless as cardboard.

And so were you!

Have a wonderful weekend--and if you can, make a fun plan to enjoy this upcoming meteor shower!

The Lifegiving Table: Nurturing Faith through Feasting, One Meal at a Time
By Sally Clarkson
]]>Food for ThoughtStoryformed Podcast Episode #12 - Encouraging a Love of Art Through StoriesHolly PackiamThu, 10 Aug 2017 02:00:00 +0000http://sallyclarkson.com/blog/2017/8/9/storyformed-podcast-episode-12-encouraging-a-love-of-art-through-stories57600e7cab48de46119939ff:5762f2f12994ca8de6e8313e:598b50411e5b6cbabca8b393

In this episode Holly Packiam and Jaime Showmaker encourage and inspire listeners to cultivate a love of art through stories. The ability to participate in God's presence through viewing beautiful works is a gift of being created in His image.

We are grateful that artists over the centuries have used their gifts to create magnificent paintings and sculptures that express His nature. By showing our kids great art, we are not only leading them to know what is beautiful as a part of a great feast, but we’re also helping them to tap into their own creativity.

Enjoying art is an expression of the divine image because God both appreciates beauty -- He called His creation good --and IS beauty--He sets the standard for what is beautiful.

“The first demand any work of art makes upon us is surrender. Look. Listen. Receive. Get yourself out of the way. (There is no good asking first whether the work before you deserves such a surrender, for until you have surrendered you cannot possibly find out.)” - C.S. Lewis, An Experiment in Criticism

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

Life with children can be, or perhaps just plain is, messy. It is one drama after another with teens. Inevitably there's one mess after another with all ages of families, as they always seem to keep eating and creating dirty dishes and making messes! Children fuss no matter what method you use and no matter what book you have bought--especially with personality differences rubbing against one another.

All in my family are sinful--including me!--which means there are moods and attitudes and ups and downs. There are illnesses--mental, emotional, physical and spiritual--that make relationships a challenge.

Many of us carry baggage from our past lives that creep into our marriage, influencing the ways we view life and treat our husbands and children. If only we could take back some of the things we have said, or start certain conversations over again, we could do a better job! I remember often thinking as I learned new things about myself and repented from some bad habits and ways of dealing with my family, that I needed to have more children so that I could do it right at least once.

Yet, now, as I get older, I have collected some perspective. God has used the humbling circumstances of having a family and being married to bring me to my knees. He has used these very circumstances to humble me--and to thus develop more compassion for others who also struggle. What good would I have been to myself, my children or my husband If I remained a self-confident, pompous Pharisee, who was assured of my right philosophy?

God's ultimate desire was to do heart surgery that I didn't realize I needed, in order to "little by little" make my heart and character more like Christ's. So, He in His sovereignty, used my family and children to chisel the blemishes and deficiencies away.

I have realized that part of my problem is that I am faint-hearted and conflict-resistant at heart--I do not like difficulty or challenges and tire of the whole process. Yet, God somehow knew that deep in my heart, I wanted to hold fast to faith and trust Him and persevere, so He was faithful to press me through difficulties.

Having now lived through so many seasons, it's finally obvious that in spite of my fretting, stresses and fears, God was there all the time, working, showing faithfulness, and being patient with me in the process.

It takes practice to do and pursue what is true and right. I have seen the Lord bring me through so many difficult courses. A key, however, was learning to choose to believe and listen to His voice and Word. When I come into His presence and spend time in His Word, He has been there for me--I didn't always feel His presence, but I took His Word and promises at face value and rested in them and then practiced taking steps of faith, one day, one issue at a time. Now, I can look back and see that He has used each part of the journey to shape me--my character, my love, my humility and compassion and learning to rest in Him.

The more I have learned to put all of my issues into his hands (along with my feelings of loneliness, fear, weariness and deep emotion), the more I have learned to leave them there--with Him who is able and will accomplish His will in His time in my life. These verses have been some of my anchors:

1. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God, and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6I need heart- and mind-guarding so that I don't spend unnecessary energy and time on worrying, so I give my concerns into His hands and picture him taking everything and working on my behalf.

2. "In this world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world" John 16:33b. I have made a decision of my will to take courage--to practice being strong, practicing the habit of putting one foot in front of the other to believe in a good outcome from a Father who is good. Courage is believing and behaving as though God will indeed be faithful. These habits create a life of faithfulness.

3. "For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances and I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and having need. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:12-13. I have had to grow in character as I walk in God's ways--to stretch my capacity to work, to stretch my capacity to love--to resist the down feelings and to learn to cultivate a content attitude and to practice being joyful in front of my children and family. I can, by faith, and by putting one foot in front of the other, do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

I have told my children that it is best to decide to like and embrace God's will--because having a bad attitude about it will not make it go away and indeed will make the pressures and circumstances worse! I have also noticed that bad attitudes or depressed feelings or content feelings behave much like plants in garden. If I water and nurture the depressed or negative attitudes they are what grow even stronger. If I water and fertilize faith and obedience, they are what grows.

So here is my prayer for you today, as you seek to practice believing and walk in faithfulness ... "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word" 2 Thessalonians 2:17.

**************************************************************

We've had such a great response to this week's podcast, which focused on training our children to have a heart of gratitude. Here's a snippet ...

"When we give our children every single thing they want and meet every single need, we're actually giving them idols. We're causing them to be spoiled. We're making them think they deserve for the whole world to kowtow and bow at their feet, and provide everything they want.

That is never how a godly person is going to be able to sustain their life in this world ... This world is not the place we've ever been promised we'll have everything we desire. ...

Sometimes we feel like our kids need to be happy all the time and have so many things ... Parents don't realize they are hindering their children by giving them the illusion that having things and having experiences is a right, and is something that's actually going to make them happy. ... actually, having more makes you more discontent.

When you run around with people who have every single popular piece of clothing and every single class and every single opportunity, it probably makes you UNhappy. The more ungrateful you are, the more unhappy you are with what you have, the more bitter you'll be, the less spiritual you'll be, and the worse legacy you're going to pass onto your kids."

]]>Practicing Believing and Walking In FaithfulnessA Heart for Gratitude- The Gift of Living ThankfullyKristen KillMon, 07 Aug 2017 01:00:00 +0000http://sallyclarkson.com/blog/2017/8/4/a-heart-for-gratitude-the-gift-of-living-thankfully57600e7cab48de46119939ff:5762f2f12994ca8de6e8313e:5984a414e6f2e18100403e5f"In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude."

-A.A. Milne, WINNIE-THE-POOH

Episode # 93- A Heart for Gratitude

Do your children hold wonder about God? Do they have an imagination that allows them to enter into the mystery of all He has made and all He has done?

A grateful heart is a humble heart, one that does not demand, but receives and then looks for how to give again to others with joy. Gratefulness begins by understanding the wonder of being a child of the God of the Universe and experiencing and receiving all of the goodness of God's world as a gift.

In this episode, Sally and Kristen discuss how to protect and preserve a sense of wonder in our children, how to cultivate daily habits of thanks, and what it looks like to embrace God's will for us to "rejoice always," regardless of circumstance. They share about what it has looked like in their own homes to raise children who are content, how to battle the demands and entitlements of modern culture facing children and parents alike, and how God has used unexpected times of difficulty to build gratefulness into the culture of their families.

What we talk about:

-Cultivating a habit of wonder and gratefulness in the lives of our children

-What is means practically to rejoice always and in everything give thanks

-The importance of learning to see God's personal provision and work in our lives

-How to battle discontent, boredom, envy and jealousy

-How to navigate a consumer culture of entitlement in our homes

-How developing a heart of gratitude is becomes a source of courage for our children when they leave home

-The importance of feasting and special celebrations

-Recognizing Grace in our own lives and serving others from the overflow of what God has given us.

links:

1 Thessalonians 5:18- "In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

James 2: 15-16- "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him. for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world."

Many years ago, before Joy was even born, I had a paper journal where I shared educational ideas, recipes, traditions, articles and Bible study. This only lasted a while because it grew so quickly, we could not keep up with it. Ever since then, I have wanted to do something like it again. And now, with the internet and web possibilities, I can have that journal once again to send to you in the form of an online course. I am so very excited to share it with each of you. You can sign up and immediately receive all that we have prepared for you on September 5. Hope you will become a part of this community with me. I hope it will encourage you, like a little mini-conference once a month.

Thanks so much for so many signing up for our launch team of my newest book, The LIfegiving Table. We are overfull and are closing it as of Sunday night, (tonight) midnight. So excited to have so many kindred spirits. I do have the mosts wonderful launch team. Thanks for joining me in this, sweet ones. I look forward to a fun time launching this book. Be sure to tell your friends they must be signed up as a subscriber of my blog to win. So excited.

Sally

]]>A Heart for Gratitude- The Gift of Living ThankfullyThe End of a Busy, Exciting Week! Sally ClarksonFri, 04 Aug 2017 02:00:00 +0000http://sallyclarkson.com/blog/2017/8/3/the-end-of-a-busy-exciting-week57600e7cab48de46119939ff:5762f2f12994ca8de6e8313e:5983c2e89f745676d8a8e525

Here we are, at the end of one wonderful, wacky week! I've been hosting Nathan's wonderful film crew, making meals, picking up visitors, having great conversations, and sharing the bursting life that's been filling our four walls all week long. What a joy to have so much happening, even when I find myself collapsing into bed at the end of such busy days!

"From the time they were little, our children were included in our hospitality efforts. When we were expecting guests, each child was given a task to complete to make our table ready. Setting the table, cutting flowers, lighting candles, putting on music, cooking, meeting guests at the door, and making them feel welcome in our home were standard responsibilities shared by us all. Because we wanted our children to learn conversation skills, each one was to think of one question to ask our guests. There were even times when they were asked to give up their room or their bed for someone who was staying with us—a great lesson in serving.

Another important way we taught hospitality to our children was encouraging them to invite their friends over as often as possible. We served juice and cookies to toddlers, lemonade and sandwiches to ten-year-olds, pizza and popcorn to teens, and enough chocolate chip cookies to fill a fleet of semis. We opened our rooms and our yard to study groups, kids’ clubs, and lots and lots of games. In the process our kids learned even more about what it means to welcome and serve others." ~ The Lifegiving Table

And so here we are once again, practicing what we've preached, and loving every moment of it.

I hope you are enjoying these last few days and weeks of summer! There's been so much happening here I don't want you to miss:

]]>The End of a Busy, Exciting Week!The Story of the World's Best LuckHolly PackiamThu, 03 Aug 2017 02:00:00 +0000http://sallyclarkson.com/blog/2017/8/2/the-story-of-the-worlds-best-luck57600e7cab48de46119939ff:5762f2f12994ca8de6e8313e:5982532c414fb50ad287e384

Perhaps the best-read book of all time is the Bible. But what kind of book is the Bible? Among many things, the Bible is a story—the Greatest and Truest Story of all. There are many ways of narrating this Story, but I love the way my husband, Glenn Packiam, did in one of his books, Lucky. Here’s an adapted excerpt.

In the beginning, God. A good God made the world, and He called it good. This is how the Story begins. Man and woman were made to be God’s image-bearers, the ones who would rule over creation and care for it in God’s name and as God would, the ones who would most fully reflect Him. They were to multiply, producing other image-bearers who would reflect and reveal God, and in doing so would cover the earth with His glory.

But the image-bearers were not content to be with God; they wanted to be like Him. More than bearing His image they wanted His power, His autonomy, His unbounded freedom. For the creature to seek freedom from the Creator, to desire to be the Creator, is to say “I don’t need You. I am better without You.” It is an affront to the Creator, the ultimate insult. This rebellion was the beginning of evil in the creature and the end of perfectly bearing the image of the Creator. From that moment on, the image was marred, stained, tainted by the rebellion.

Because we are still bearers of God’s image we have some idea of how things should be, how the song should go, what the painting should look like. And yet because that image in us has been tainted by our sin, we recognize when there is injustice, we know that the song is being sung out of tune, that the painting has been smeared, that all is not as it should be.

Most religious stories get their shape by a human search for God. A prophet wanders off in the wilderness in search of God. Or a wise philosopher climbs the mountain to ponder truth. Or the old sage begins a quest for truth. But this Story does not begin with a man or woman searching for God. When the image-bearers realize that their attempt at living independently of their Creator has left them frail and vulnerable, they hide. Man and woman are not searching for God; they are hoping to avoid Him altogether. It is God then who says to Adam, “Where are you?”

From the beginning, God. God who is calling, God who is choosing, God who is blessing. Adam had been blessed by God, commissioned to multiply, to fill the earth with other image-bearers so that the world would be filled with the glory of God. Adam chose to attempt autonomy instead. Adam’s descendants are a mixed garden of grass and weeds; there are those who listened to God’s call, some with remarkable intimacy like Enoch, and those who ignored it, some with astounding audacity like Cain.

The rebellion of the image-bearers reached a condensation point, and the sky became heavy with God’s judgment. It rained and rained and rained. When Noah and his family, singled out by God to survive these torrents, set foot on a land ready to bloom with new life, God re-issued His blessing: multiply, cover the earth with men and women who know God and reflect His image. Noah filled the earth, but with more fallen image-bearers. If God was going to show the world what He was like, it had to begin slowly, with one family, a family through whom all other families could be blessed.

So God blessed Abraham. Abraham’s blessing was special. It wasn’t simply to re-create, to multiply. It was a call to carry the blessing to the world. To be clear about His plan, God didn’t stop with blessing Abraham; He blessed Abraham’s son, Isaac, and He blessed the son who got Isaac’s blessing, Jacob, through the man who wrestled with him until daybreak.The ones who received this blessing are forever remembered when this God is named. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

As the seed of Abraham multiplied, it is they who did the blessing, passing on what Yahweh had given them. They were not merely fallen image-bearers; they were to be luck-bearers. They carried God’s blessing, and they were to bring it to the world.

In Frederick Buechner’s novel of Jacob’s life, he describes the moment that Jacob realizes the significance of his children, born from four different mothers, but of the same seed:

I was like a man caught out in a storm with the wind squalling, the sand flailing me across the eyes, the chilled rain pelting me. The children were the storm, I thought, until one day, right in the thick of it, I saw the truth of what the children were…

…They were the dust that would cover the earth. The great people would spring from their scrawny loins. Kicking and howling and crowing and pissing and slobbering food all over their faces, they were the world’s best luck.

The world’s best luck. The world’s best chance of being renewed, of being restored with their Creator, would come through this nation, this people, Israel.

But this people chosen to carry luck to the world failed to keep listening to the Creator. There were glimmers of remarkable radiance, when they were a light unto the nations. Yet they set up golden calves, images borrowed from their pagan neighbors, and called them Yahweh. They forgot that when God told them to have no other gods He was telling them that He was enough for the. By using other gods to secure their wishes and control their outcomes, they were repeating the sin of their first Father and Mother: they were becoming a god unto themselves.

All day long, I have been wanting to write an article about important issues, inspiring ideas, profound thoughts that we must consider if we are going to be bold and relevant in this mixed up culture. I see women focussing on small matters, fixating on things that will pass away, while right in front of them are children who will be adults who need to have a mentor to help shape their souls, a teacher who will stimulate their minds, a friend who will listen and believe in them, a leader who will model integrity, and those who will teach them the priceless value of building a family heritage.

Children need these models of righteous life--their moms! Yet, so many women do not accept the challenge or live frustrated lives, being overcome by busyness and missing the opportunity to shape souls in the moments of life. This is what I wanted to write about, but ......

But Nathan is filming a movie in town and the staff are staying at our house. We have guests that need to be sought out and listened to and fed. I had a rare opportunity to spend some time with Joel today while he was getting his visa for Scotland in Denver, knowing he will be leaving to pursue his masters and further education in the next few years. So, I decided that I could write later. This was a moment to invest in our friendship and in his heart, to talk about eternal issues, to discuss things that mattered. And so I put aside my writing one more time in order to invest in him.

Then upon coming home, I found one of the sweet ones visiting us, alone, so soon another hour was gone. Finally, Nathan texted and said, "Mom, another actor is arriving at the Park and Ride. Could you pick him up and take him to dinner?"

And so I did, and his name was Michael. And our conversation was full of life. Now, almost bedtime, I realize that I was making choices today to mentor, to disciple, to invest in the precious life of the one right in front of me, even though I did not get my "work" finished.

This is something I learned to embrace many years ago--I have a stewardship to seek to bring light to everyone God brings across my path, and to particularly invest in my children who are for some years my primary disciples, so that they can grow strong.

You and I only have this day, this moment to choose to live for what matters.

"Teach us to number our days that we might present to thee a heart of wisdom."

Psalm 91:12

As I was pondering these thoughts--that I want to make the most of every day, I remembered this article I had written several years ago with the same thoughts.. I will wrap up how it applies to my life now at the end......

I can never remember a time when there were not piles of responsibilities stacking up, vying for my attention. As long as I can remember, there is always more to do, not less. Today was no different. Out of town company all weekend for a concert we sponsored in our church meant more cooking, more cleaning, late nights and more talking and serving. Today, a big Sunday breakfast for all in my house, rushing to church, and then picking up more out of town friends, dear to our hearts, to visit the whole afternoon long. A tea time, pie, both pecan and berry, and lots of talking and talking, more dishes, and then delivering them at a conference nearby.

This blog was looming over my mind, as I wanted to write about what mattered most in life, to encourage you, my sweet friends. Two final deadlines for an impending writing project and important deadlines for my book launch, as well as 3 letters that must be written.

All of these were piling and increasing my stress level.

When I searched the landscape of my mind, I pondered this gorgeous fall day--God has painted the leaves in such an amazing way today, and I have hardly had time to notice. I have Joel at home all by himself apart from the other kids, for a rare occasion, and he particularly loves our long walks together. Our other guest, Matthew, is someone our family greatly values and I know he would love to see our special walking trails and sunset views. If I go, I will not get my work finished and will have more on my plate tomorrow.

But, I have made a goal this year to own my life more completely by choosing to invest personally with real live people right in front of me. And so, now, this moment, is when the test comes to challenge my commitment.

Will I choose work, again, to keep faithfully at my piles, or will I take this moment that I may not have again, to invest, to make a memory. It is not an issue of a rule or formula, but a commitment I have made in my heart to not make my duties more important than my people.

This moment challenges the personal commitment I have made.

And so, instead of writing this blog, instead of staying home to get ahead for my Monday piles, I chose Sabbath--to focus on the personal, right in front of me reality.

Going......

Pinks, golds, ambers, yellows colored our happy path as we spoke of music, stories, ideas, dreams, hopes. The former boy, now man moving into his glory as he surmounts life and shares the moments one more time, with me, his now much smaller than him, mama. My heart warmed at his eagerness to be my friend. My heart swelled at this little boy became man, and such a strong good one. My happiness fills as now, my son and true closest of friends, chooses me to spend his last afternoon minutes, instead of the busyness that is piling high on his plate. Now, he is choosing to invest personally in me, instead of choosing work.

Gone!!!! Too quickly, the time I can invest will be over, gone forever.

Too quickly, the sun went down, our walk came to the edge of the path, our cherished moments came to an end, but my heart had this precious soul memory stored in the treasure chest of my own heart to hold dear for the years to come.

Too quickly your path will also come to an end and the window of time in which you can love and influence will close for a new phase of life for your children ahead.

The work will somehow all get done, eventually,

but this glorious day, I chose to celebrate with God in His art gallery, in the intimate moments that I will have to cherish for years to come.

I wish you could sit beside me on the wooden porch rockers for a lingering chat with a cup of something delicious. I would love to know what is swimming in your own heart and to hear your thoughts about life. Meeting with women, hearing your stories and encouraging you through my own stories has brought me great joy over my life.

Even more, though, when I look at the landscape of our culture and the values that are being supported in public arenas, I see that the foundation of family is being destroyed every day. And yet, I believe that a strong family bond, mothers dedicated to building emotional, spiritual and moral strength in the lives of their children and marriages that hold fast through storms of life are more important than ever.

A strong family life is still the best indicator that a person will thrive and be able to live a sustainable life. But the carrying out of these traditional biblical ideals is challenging and lonely at this time of history. These are the messages I would share with you—your life as a mom, wife, and Christian matters more now than ever. And in a world where relationships have been broken, and families have been fractured, all the more, we each need support and encouragement of one another of how to keep building strong foundations for life.

This is why I am excited to announce a new project that has been bubbling up in my heart. Cultivating Life with Sally is my new membership site designed to encourage you in the areas of motherhood, home, discipleship, leadership, and education.

Cultivating Life with Sally will be a place to find lifegiving messages from me and my friends along with supplemental materials to help you dive deeper and bring God’s grace into your life and home in new ways. There will be audios and videos, printable PDFs, reflection questions and more. The lovely ladies at Storyformed will also be providing bonus content that will not be available anywhere else.

Cultivating Life with Sally will provide a place for me to mentor you toward a deeper relationship with Jesus. I can’t wait to share with you what I am learning as I study my Bible each day. My goal is that women will grow in their walk with God and then in turn grow in their capacity to love and serve their husband, children, friends and neighbors.

Join us in Cultivating Life with Sally- with new content each month, it will be as if we are attending a mini-conference together several times a year. Doing the leadership intensives in my home has been rewarding but this gives me the chance to share the same encouragement and Bible studies with anyone who is interested.

During the first few months, we will also have a special study of composers and maybe along the way, artists. This is something that you can listen to with your children, then run to the library for a few of the suggested books and enjoy learning about the lives of some amazing musicians together as a family.

I will be discussing the book of Hebrews and principles of how to have faith and stay faithful, even when you don’t feel like it. Recipes, traditions, and ideas from our lives will fill your library of resources as we slowly build a treasury of training and ideas over the months.

Here is a little video to introduce you to Cultivating Life with Sally.

I hope that you’ll consider joining me at Cultivating Life with Sally. Registration opens September 5, 2017.

Episode #92 A Heart for Patience

I can do all things through Him [Christ] who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

"Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty … I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well."

TEDDY ROOSEVELT

What are you bearing today that feels impossible to you? Are there circumstances, difficulties or burdens that drain your heart and soul? Often times, when we are called upon to grow in character and endurance, when we need others to help encourage us most of all, is when we can feel the most isolated and utterly alone.

In this podcast, Sally and Kristen want to encourage you and give you tools to overcome what you are facing today by giving FIVE practical ways to cultivate a heart of patience and peace in your own life and in the hearts of your children. They talk candidly about their own struggles, verses that have helped to bolster their hearts and have meant so much to their own families, and what it has meant to them to learn how to trust God's story for their lives.

Then, Kristen is joined by Mom Heart national team member, Gretchen Roberts who shares her heart for ministry and has an exciting announcement about a new membership site called Cultivating Life With Sally that is opening in September! So many of you have asked for more teaching, training and opportunities to learn from Sally for so long and our entire team is thrilled that there is now a place where you can do just that! Check out more information below and be sure to subscribe to SallyClarkson.com to stay in the loop on updates about when membership opens.

What we Talk about:

-5 Things you can cultivate in your life to be able to endure faithfully

-How to embrace faithfulness as a daily choice in your life

-Learning to believe that God truly cares for you, that He will be faithful in His time, and believe that your faith has value.

-How to gain an eternal perspective and allow our character to be formed in suffering.

-When and why it is important to get help and counseling to encourage you.

-Why it is important to rest and refresh in the midst of stress and ideas for how to find simple ways to delight in life and find strength to keep going.

-Learning how to invest yourself in Truth, and take every thought captive when anxiety and fear creep in.

links:

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

James 5: 7-8“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being A HEART FOR PATIENCE 162 patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near."

Philippians 4:13"I can do all things through Him [Christ] who strengthens me."

Timothy 1:7"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline."

Hebrews 10:35-36, 39"Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. … But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul."

1 Corinthians 10:13"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."

Psalm 18:31-32 "For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God, the God who girds me with strength and makes my way blameless? He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me upon my high places."

***************

I am so excited about projects I have been working on this summer with my dream team--sweet kindred spirits who are so skilled at helping me put together messages, resources, study guides, and of course Bible study and interesting stories for your children.

But, I can't wait to share my new book, The Lifegiving Table, with all of you. I am passionate about discipleship and mentoring your children and influencing your friends and this book will open new ideas and windows of wisdom to help you know how to do this.

And we have some really amazing gifts to give away to celebrate the launch. But, you have to be a subscriber to my blog to win. The reason for this is that we have had numerous winners in the past who were not a part of our network and never answered our emails. One grand prize winner who won a plane ticket to my home had never even heard of me. We want to have people who participate and win be those of our regular audience so we can bless those who read and listen to us every week. So this is our attempt to be able to bless those who are a part of this community. So, be sure to sign up to subscribe to my blog so that you can be a part of receiving my weekly newsletter with different articles and also to be able to enter the giveaways that are coming. We will develop a launch team this week and you will hear more.

We are really excited to introduce Sally's new membership site. The areas in which Sally will be mentoring us include: motherhood, home, discipleship, leadership, education and Storyformed bonus content. Check back tomorrow for more information!

This is our last calendar to be posted on the blog--we hope you've enjoyed them this summer! You'll find more about our plans for similar things as part of tomorrow's announcement. Find this month's Lifegiving Calendar, here! LifegivingAugust

In planning for an intentional life with our children, it helps to think through what sort of framework might be necessary in order to build what we envision in our homes.

In Matthew 7:9-12, Jesus pictures God as a good father. A child who asks for a fish knows he will receive a fish, not a snake. A child who asks for bread knows he will receive bread, not a stone. Your children are asking you to give them a taste of real spiritual life—the same life of the Spirit that they see at work in your own heart. They want to learn from you not just how to live for Christ, but also how they can have the life of Christ they see in you in their own lives. If you are not actively imparting that life to them, then your passivity is the same as a snake or a stone to your child. Decide what you will give them and then determine to provide it. Like the five loaves and the two fishes offered in simple faith by a young boy, God will take what you have to give and multiply it to spiritually feed your children.

LifeGIFTS: A Model for Home Nurture

There is a tendency to view nurture as a kind of home version of “Random Acts of Kindness.” It’s not often viewed as something that necessarily needs to be planned for ahead of time, but rather as the spontaneous, by-the-Spirit acting out of life-giving love and good deeds. Spiritual spontaneity is a commendable characteristic for any Christian home, but a full expression of home nurture requires more. If nurture is about feeding your children’s spirits so they will grow in their longing for God, then you need to approach that task with the same forethought that you would a garden. If you want to nurture something to grow, you have to go about it thoughtfully and deliberately.

When we were starting our family, we realized early on that we wanted a simple model to help us give to our children gifts of life—gifts that would enable them to become life-givers to a world of life-seekers. That thought gave birth to LifeGIFTS, an acronym reminder of the five gifts of life we wanted to be sure we were passing on to our children—Grace, Inspiration, Faith, Training, and Service. LifeGIFTS became a simple model to help us actively nurture and disciple our children. The illustration below visualizes the balance of the five priorities among head (knowledge), heart (faith), and hands (actions), with one side fostering desire, the other ability. The result is that LifeGIFTS instill desireability in your children.

Grace

The gift of grace is the desire and ability to relate personally and purposefully to God and people. The gift of grace prepares your children to become channels of God’s grace and love to other people. A person who cannot relate personally and purposefully to God or to people will, without fail, be handicapped or even hindered in life and ministry. A faithful message and a fruitful ministry are effective and powerful only to the degree that they are characterized by grace in the messenger and minister. In order to be channels of grace, your children must not only know how to receive grace from God, but they also must know how to give God’s grace to others. The quality of graciousness (being a grace giver) will make your children equally at home with both commoners and kings and will make others they come in contact with feel accepted and valuable. Even simple courtesies become powerful tools of God’s grace. Graciousness removes barriers and builds bridges. It affirms the worth and value of another person. It opens the channel by which the light of God’s grace and truth can flow into a darkened world through your children.

In this episode, Holly Packiam and Jaime Showmaker discuss our quest as Christians to be lifelong learners and carriers of wisdom. They share from their own journey as children of God, moms, and parents what it looks like to pursue wisdom for a lifetime.

"Love covers a multitude of sin." "Love is a perfect bond of unity." "A gentle answer turns away wrath." "They will know you are my disciples by your love for one another." "If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels but have not love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging symbol." The Bible is full of verses about love!

What a motley crew we are! Some introverts, some extroverts, some moody, some more prone to anger--and all a wonderful mix of personality, love, dreams, passion, messes -- human! Yet we are held together, by God's grace, through love, loyalty, and a commitment to be there for each other no matter what.

I am a harmony-oriented person. I do not like arguing, harshness, anger, or critical attitudes (unless of course it is my critical attitude, because of course I am perfectly just in my opinions!) But raising a family of sinful, immature people is most often a challenge. My boys are so different that I thought they never would grow up to be friends. There is so much natural tension between a couple of my children that I wondered if they would ever get along.

When the boys would fuss, I used to read them the story of Cain and Abel and tell them that all boys are tempted to fight and be jealous and that it results in terrible consequences. Obviously, Cain and Abel served as quite the models for that! Then I would read them Psalm 133:1 where it says, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!"

"That is the standard that pleases God. Unity. Peace. How could you have said that more graciously to your brother? You boys need to stay in this room until you have settled your differences. I don't care if it takes two months! You cannot come out until you have made peace and have prayed together and can behave in a civilized way."

Not only did that force them to come to some agreement, it removed the disagreement from the middle of our living room! Often, the issues would be so petty. Does that ever happen in your house? "He sat on my side of the cushion!" as I was reading out loud to them. Or, "Why do I have to clean up the dishes, I didn't even eat lunch here today" or some combination of these types of words! There was a constant dripping of fussing and complaints over the years, always followed by correction, instruction, and saying words of forgiveness and prayers. I had no idea if they were listening to Clay and me as we trained and disciplined and corrected all those years.

With the girls it was often a matter of correcting those disrespectful or condescending attitudes or looks--especially in the teen years. No one got away with an "attitude" toward me or Clay for too long. Heart correction was our focus.

This kind of training and instruction can be wearying. Not to mention the stresses in marriage--finances, values, neglect, work loads, all sorts of issues that could be damaging.

But we sought over and over again to love, correct, forgive and give grace. We always said, "It is natural to fuss and disagree and hold grudges. It is supernatural to love and be humble and give grace. When we live in the power of the Holy Spirit, He calls us to love and give grace--period--no excuses--it is the standard of God's love and ways for us."

Many words of kindness were given in notes, appreciation and life-giving words were modeled and practiced, and even though our household could shake the roof with issues and disagreements, the standard was always to get back to loving, giving grace, staying committed, and adjusting to each other's differences.

How important this "love training" is. The reason there are so many divorces, child abuse, feelings of abandonment in the hearts of children and adults, is because loving and serving one another takes a lot of work and sacrifice and humility--and that work is not natural to us.

To love is a choice of obedience out of our own love for Christ. And every single time you choose to extend love, to speak gently instead of losing your temper, looking to the heart of your little ones instead of judging them harshly, you are serving God, loving Him well. Our service of sacrifice to others if our worship to God--and it matters. Indeed it does. I have seen that my boys and my girls were taking it all in, but the seeds I planted just took time to grow strong and big. Don't give up--your life and love matters so much.

If we are to please Christ, there is no other option--we are commanded to love.

Episode #91 A Heart for Hospitality

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2

"Hospitality isn't about inviting people into our perfect homes, its about inviting them into our imperfect hearts."- Edie Wadsworth

Do you want to open your home but find it to be so much work to get everything perfect before welcoming friends in? In this episode of At Home With Sally and Friends, Sally and Kristen talk about what lies at the very heart of hospitality: a willingness to make room for others, because that is God's heart for us. They share about precious memories that they have over the years of times when they prepared their homes for others to enjoy and why the love of God, and the love of a family are meant to be shared. Then Kristen is joined by Chystal Evans Hurst who shares how she teaches her children to practically make room for others and how we care for our own souls while pouring out to those who need us.

What we talk about:

The Heart of Hospitality

Practical ways to welcome others in and show God's love

What it means to welcome and show love to strangers

How Christians must keep doors to the world around us open

How to plan a feast for those you invite in

How to teach your children to add beauty to your home

How to train your children in the art of conversation and prepare them for guests

The Keys to Understand Being a Great Host

Links

Hebrews 13:2 "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it."

Romans 12:13 "Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."

Psalm 68:6 "God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,but the rebellious dwell in a parched land."

Matthew 25: 31-46 "

“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not [a]take care of You?’ Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Links to find Chrystal Evans Hurst

Chrystal Hurst is writer, speaker, and worship leader in addition to serving as the chief executive operating officer in her home as a wife, mother of five and grandmother to one. She is a self-proclaimed ”geek”; and bibliovore, who is actively seeking help for her addiction to Starbucks, sweet tea, and chocolate chip cookies. Chrystal is co-author of, Kingdom Woman and her second book, She’s Still There coming out this summer. She also blogs and podcasts regularly at Chrystal’s Chronicles where she poignantly reflects her thoughts about her faith and day-to- day experiences.

One afternoon, I was particularly determined to get all my work completed by the end of the day. I drove downtown toward a quiet hotel, with a secluded lobby, where I would be free to write without any interruptions. I had to stop on the way because my gas tank was on empty. (Someone had borrowed my car and left it without gas!)

Next, I stopped at a coffee shop. Before I ordered, I saw a mug on sale and thought, I would much rather drink out of a real mug so I bought it. I turned to walk away from the counter—and promptly dropped my new purchase. It shattered into hundreds of pieces. I bent down to clean it up and saw that the coffee had spilled on my new shirt. Finally after I cleaned up the mess and fixed my shirt as best as I could, I got on the road again—and was promptly halted by a long, unexpected construction detour. It wasn't dire circumstances, but every moment was a new irritation. I suppose we all have days like this.

I could feel my frustration mounting, my stomach slowly turning in knots. Tempted to become irritated at how my day was going, I realized that I was wasting my time, fretting and that it wasn't going to do any good. It's as though a little angel pricked my heart to remind me that God had not lost control. Slowly, I decided to give this book I was working on and its deadline over to the Lord. I chose not to pay attention to the broken mug and my dirty shirt. After so many years of living in the throes of life, I breathed and remembered that this chaos is just part of normal life. So I put on some quiet instrumental music, sat back in my seat, and slowly began to enjoy the peace as I waited to move through the congested traffic.

A commitment to living a life of joy involves a one-time decision in our heart: "Lord, I want to know your joy every day of my life, and I will seek to find out what it means to dwell in your presence in joy."

Choosing to cultivate joy through challenging circumstances requires us to look for God’s fingerprints along the way.

Experiencing joy, though, is a long-term process and it takes a lifetime to slowly move from stress mode to living into the peace God wants us to know through all the moments of life—a journey toward maturity as we begin to be aware of those thoughts and worries that would steal our joy.

The more we practice taking all of our troubled thoughts captive, the more easily we will recognize them before they take hold in our heart. Practice and discipline provide strength training for our mental muscles and heart responses. So walking in the reality of joy is a road we truly find only as we mature and become stronger. The more consistently we follow that path—believing in God's goodness and turning away from Satan's taunts—the more the habit to submit to the Lord and trust him becomes second nature.

We can make a commitment to take every situation, every feeling, every fear to God as it happens. We don't have to remain in a state of emotional separation from the Lord every time we get out of step. We simply have to practice walking each step with him and allow his presence to bring us the joy that comes from resting in the arms of our capable dance partner through each measure of life's song.

Paul wrote, "We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). What does it mean to take every thought in your head "captive" to the obedience of Christ?

Are there any specific patterns of thought (fear, jealousy, irritation, impatience) that you struggle with? How does this rob your joy?

What do you need to do to change that pattern?

I've written more about intentionally living a life of joy in Dancing With My Father. You can find it here!

One of the requests we get most frequently here at Storyformed is for book lists. We love to give recommendations and, while we are always working behind the scenes to curate the very best books for you and your family, today we thought that we would point you to a list that our lovely founder, Sarah Clarkson, compiled.

Storyformed is an arm of Whole Heart Ministries, founded by Clay and Sally Clarkson. The mission of Whole Heart is "to encourage and equip Christian parents to raise wholehearted children for Christ." As part of that mission, Sarah has frequently spoken at conferences about the impact of story in the discipleship process. She created this list of recommended children's literature in response to requests for book recommendations from her talks. We hope that you will enjoy this resource and then take some time to look around at all of the other resources that Whole Heart Ministries has to offer as you and your family live a story worth telling.

Jesus once told story of a wealthy man who forgave the debt of a man to whom he had loaned money. Later, the man whose debt had been erased went out and showed no mercy to a man who owed him money. When the wealthy man found out about the man's ungrateful, vindictive deeds, he went back to the man who had been released from the debt and threw him in prison to be tortured until he had personally repaid all the debt. Jesus gives us a powerful warning: "My heavenly Father will also do the same to you if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart." (Matthew 18:21-35)

This story is about our relationship with the Lord. If He has forgiven us and humbled himself to the point of death to bring about our debt being paid, then we owe everyone we meet the grace, love, mercy and forgiveness that we have received. If we do not forgive others, no matter how unjust their actions were, our hearts will be damaged and we will feel far from God.

I was talking with a godly, older, wiser friend of mine the other day, and she said, "You know, I have lost so many friends over the years because of issues with my children."

She was referring to a situation in which one of her children had been immature and offended one of her friends, and the friend held it against her personally. What a travesty! To lose a friendship over a silly incident is a waste of a good friendship. If we expect our friends and their children to always be mature, we will surely become disappointed and disillusioned. Yet I see it happen all the time. No wonder so many people are suspicious of Christians, if they act just like all other normal, self-centered people, rather than like those who have been redeemed!

There is so much potential for broken relationships--hurt feelings, different values, different philosophies, immaturity, insensitivity, harsh or careless words, bitterness, and irritation.

The reason for broken relationships today is because there is so little glue--no commitment--no covenant that says,

No matter what, I will be loyal to you. I will commit to loving you, not with feelings, but with my heart, because God has loved me.

Our children need to see this kind of loyal love demonstrated so that they will stay faithful, strong and true in the difficult relationships they will encounter. They need to know that loving unconditionally is a choice, an obedience.

So many people are brokenhearted because of the actions of others.

But our hearts don't have to stay broken. We can always choose to love, even when we are not loved by people--because God is absolutely, forever committed to loving us.

"I will never leave you or forsake you." Hebrews 13

"Nothing can separate us from the love of God." Romans 8

"I pray that you may know the Father's love, with which he has loved me from the foundations of the world." John 17

The Role of Humility

I have found that I have had to humble myself so many times in relationships--sometimes when I was wrong, but many times when I thought the other person was wrong. Do you know what I've learned? The more you practice humility, the easier it becomes. We are the most like God when we love and "cover a multitude of sin" with our words and compassion than at any other time. He has not called us to judge, but to love.

In reality, we all sin, fall short, come up short in some way or another. And so we must understand that everyone we meet comes up short, too. Humility says, "I will never be perfect. I will not condemn myself for being perfect. I will not condemn you for not being perfect."

Does it hurt to be ignored or mistreated? Of course, but if we love Jesus, we are called to love and forgive, not because the person deserves it, but because He wants us to! We love out of our commitment to Him. Loyal love, humble love, "I don't care what you have done--I will always be your friend" sort of love is what makes us, as Christians, a picture of His reality in this world.

There will be times when relationships are beyond repair. There are so many things in a fallen world that are broken or damaged from generations of sin. Many people are emotionally fragile and scarred, and beyond the ability of being healthy in their responses. These broken friendships break our hearts and the hearts of our children. I wish I had obtained more training earlier in my life or had tools to access those who were incapable of having healthy relationships, sometimes toxic relationships. But, scripture tells us,

"As far as it is possible, be at peace with all men." Romans 12:18

Proverbs tells us not to relate to fools, (unhealthy, immature, or destructive people). So we can see that there was some provision for the possibility of being in relationships that we cannot mend or control because we do not control the behavior of others.

Yet, if we want to be free from the prison of emotional chaos, we have to forgive, we move in the direction of sowing love whenever possible. We grow in humility and giving grace because of our love and obedience to Jesus. Growing in love in relationships takes a lifetime, but Jesus teaches us how to pursue love one lesson at a time and extends His grace as we grow.

And sowing love will produce a wonderful crop of love--eventually! I was talking with Nathan the other day and he said, "You know, Joel is one of the people in the world I most admire. He is a great big brother to follow. I think he is one of my favorite people in all the world."

Victory! Amazement! They love each other and prefer each other! And it only took over twenty years! Little by little, we sow and water and in time, the seeds will bear fruit.

Are you a committed believer? Then choose to love! It is your spiritual service of worship to Jesus because of how He loved us.

We love because He first loved us. May God give us the grace today to love.

"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men." Luke 6:35